President's Message

By Wayne Pantini, PDI President

Wayne Pantini PDI President

A big thank you to all PDI Members that were able to attend the PDI Grow Iowa Day at the State Capitol on Feb. 10th. The weather cooperated for the most part and we had great representation from across the state. Thank you for advocating for PDI’s Legislative Agenda and connecting with your local legislators on the hill. Continue to reach out to them throughout the session and year for the matter. Share the responses and insights with the Legislative Co-Chairs and our Lobbyist. This dialogue is important to share our perspective on how good policy can help us grow and develop our local communities. Thank you to all the PDI member volunteers and staff for making the logistical arrangements and making the event run smoothly.

If you have not done so already, I would encourage you to attend the Heartland Basic Economic Development Course this spring. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field of economic development, this week long course will be very beneficial to you. You will learn some of the fundamentals of the profession, learn techniques on the practice of economic development and expand your professional network. PDI offers limited scholarships for members to attend. Check out the PDI website for more details. PDI may not be the only resource for assistance. Many of the utility companies serving our communities have a program in place as well. As a beneficiary of these opportunities I can tell you it is the best way to leverage your local limited budgets while expanding your own professional development. Also don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunities PDI offers throughout the year to expand your knowledge, perspective and gain ideas. Check out PDI’s website often for updates on webinars and other educational opportunities coming up this spring.

Wayne J. Pantini
wpantini@unioncountyiowa.com
641-344-9725

Join Us for PDI's Spring Event



Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 1:00 — 5:00 pm, Reception Following
PDI Spring Event — held in conjunction with the SMART Conference
DMACC Center for Career & Professional Development at Southridge Mall
1111 South Army Post Road, Des Moines, Iowa

Theme: Keeping Communities Viable — Strategies for Growth & Vitality
General Sessions: Strategies for Growth — Successful Business Models
Welcoming & Integrating a New Workforce
Professional Development Skills — Telling Your Community's Story

Reception following: Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion
[Registration opens mid-February 2016 — PDI Members will be able to register for both events on one form]

PDI does not have a conference hotel. Consider using the hotel for the SMART Conference or go to http://www.catchdesmoines.com/hotels/ for options.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

• Professional Developers of Iowa — Grow Iowa Day a Big Success

The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) highlighted economic development organizations from across Iowa during the 2016 "Grow Iowa" Day at the Iowa State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Members invited legislative leaders to join them for pizza and conversation to highlight the issues affecting economic development in Iowa. Key issues include:

• Tax Increment Financing
• Workforce
• State Economic Development Resources
• Renewable Chemical Tax Credit
• Income Tax Reform
• Housing
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship Support
• Broadband Expansion and
• Brownfield/Grayfield Tax Credit Program — all efforts to recruit and sustain Iowa companies.

Wayne Pantini, President of PDI, says "In order to compete with other states and countries, Iowa must improve our competitiveness in a way that enhances the state's strengths, expands tax base, creates and retains high-paying jobs and builds industries of the future. The proverbial green shoots of growth in many of our communities are real, but if we intend to maintain and accelerate the trend, we've got to have the tools to compete, and that starts with strengthened economic development tools and a better climate to make Iowa the competitive choice for business."

"During these economic times, we stand ready to grow Iowa's economy, but legislative support is critical in maintaining a business-friendly atmosphere," Pantini says. For decades PDI has successfully represented the collective economic development interests of both the private and public sectors by providing leadership in defining and promoting statewide economic initiatives.

Special thanks to all the members who volunteered to help that day and to our sponsors/exhibitors:

Company/Organization
Northwest Iowa Development
MidAmerican Energy
U.S. Small Business Administration
Renew Rural Iowa/Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance
UNI Business & Community Services
UNI - Regional Business Center
Ames Chamber of Commerce
Iowa Small Business Development Center (America's SBDC Iowa)
Iowa Innovation Corporation
Quad Cities Region
Warren County Economic Development
Iowa State University - Center for Industrial Research & Service
Iowa Area Development Group
Johnston Economic Development
Western Iowa Advantage
Greater Burlington Partnership
ITC Midwest
City of Sioux City
Diligent Development/Peoples Company
Mid Iowa Growth Partnership

• PDI Economic Development Organizations Encouraged to Submit Awards Application for Business Retention and Expansion Efforts

The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) will honor economic development organizations from across Iowa during the SMART Economic Development Conference held in Des Moines on April 28.

The PDI Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Awards Program recognizes the outstanding efforts of local and regional economic development initiatives in supporting growth and expansion of existing Iowa companies.

"Supporting Iowa's existing industry is a key priority for PDI's membership," stated Wayne Pantini, PDI President. "The BRE Awards are intended to increase the focus on fostering Iowa business growth by economic development organizations and spotlight BRE programs and projects that have made a significant impact on Iowa communities."

Learn more about the BRE Awards >>

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

• PDI Policy Perspectives

Click here for the most recent Policy Perspectives.

Read Policy Perspectives >>

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STATEWIDE PRIDE

• Deere Completes Precision Planter Acquisition
By Times Staff, Quad City Times, February 3, 2016

Deere & Co. has completed its acquisition of Monosem, the European market leader in precision planters, in a move that expands the Moline-based manufacturer's leadership position in precision agriculture.

Deere said Wednesday that the deal, announced in November, had closed. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More >>

• MidAmerican Energy Completes Two Major Wind Projects
Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, February 4, 2016

With the completion of the Highland wind farm in O'Brien County and the Adams wind farm in Adams County, MidAmerican Energy Company has wrapped up work on two major projects adding more than 1,200 megawatts of wind generation capacity for customers.

The Highland wind farm, which was placed in service on December 3, 2015, is the fifth and final piece of MidAmerican Energy's Wind VIII project — the company's largest wind project to date, and one of the largest economic development projects in Iowa history. On January 30, MidAmerican Energy completed its Wind IX project when the Adams wind farm was placed in service. Together, Wind VIII and Wind IX bring MidAmerican Energy's total wind generation capacity to nearly 3,500 megawatts, an amount that represents about 42 percent of the company's installed generation capacity.

Read More >>

• Clayton County to Study Fracking
Company wants to mine for silica sand
By Orlan Love, The Gazette, February 1, 2016

A study is underway to determine the environmental and aesthetic impacts of a proposed expansion of Iowa’s only frack sand mine.

Clayton-based Pattison Sand Co. has requested that 746 acres near its existing mine along the Mississippi River be rezoned from agricultural to heavy industry to facilitate underground mining of the silica sand used in the hydraulic fracturing process of extracting oil and natural gas.

Read More >>

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EDUCATION

• OUEDI 2016 Course Offerings

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE 2016 DATES:

May 1-5, 2016 in San Antonio, TX
November 13-17, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, FL

ONLINE CLASSES

Marketing: January 11 - March 6
Business Retention & Expansion: March 14 - May 8
Strategic Planning: May 16- July 10
Entrepreneurship: July 18 - September 11
Marketing: September 19 - November 13
Business Retention & Expansion: November 21 - January 15, 2017

More Information >>

WHO'S WHO - MEMBER NEWS

• Getting To Know Your Members — Spotlight Article

The PDI PR/Communications Committee invites you to share information about your organization in our monthly spotlights. You can use this information to connect with other PDI members who have the same issues you might be facing or can contact them regarding something new they are doing. We want to hear from YOU too! It should include information on: Name; Geography (area served; location in state); Funding make-up; Budget size; Staffing (how many & their titles); Board make-up; Priority Areas; Metrics (ie: Jobs Created and Retained; Capital Investment; Businesses started; Capital raised; Housing starts etc.); News & Accomplishments; PDI Contact & Email/phone. Send photos too! Please meet our next PDI member in the following spotlight:



Name: Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance
Geography: Webster County
Funding: Public-Private
Budget: Approximately $900,000 annually
Staffing: 6 Full time
Board: 41 Voting Members, 7 Executive Board Members
Priority Areas: Business Retention and Expansion, Business Attraction, Small Business support, Workforce, Housing, Image, Community Development, Retail Development
Metrics: Jobs created and retain, capital investment, membership involvement, business starts
News: Attracted a new Animal Health production facility from New Zealand, adding another foreign direct investment to our portfolio. Continually adding workforce tools for our new and existing industry and opened a new light industrial park consisting of 160 acres.
PDI Contact: Kelly Halsted: kelly@greaterfortdodge.com — 515.955-5500

http://www.greaterfortdodge.com

• Did You Know?...



PDI Membership as of December 31 is made up of:

Regular Members: 297
Associate Members: 13
Honorary & Lifetime: 15
Other: 5 (Complimentary partnerships)
Total: 325 paid

• Job Postings:

Executive Director, Visit Mason City Iowa, Mason City

More Information >>

• Become a PDI Sponsor or Advertiser!

Consider becoming a PDI Sponsor or Advertiser! There are many opportunities to help sponsor PDI and our events for 2016. Participate in it all! PDI's Grow Iowa Day, Spring Event, Educational Events and the Fall Conference — join as a member — advertise in the newsletter and/or website — this kit covers everything. See the benefits of being a partner with PDI.

Click to Learn More >>

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UPCOMING EVENTS

• Mark Your Calendars for Future Events/Conferences:

2016 Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence / Governor's Celebration of Excellence
March 31, 2016
Prairie Meadows Confernce Center
Altoona, IA
More Information & Registration

Heartland Economic Development Course, Inc.
April 24-28, 2016
Adam's Pointe Conference Center
Blue Springs, MO
More Information & Registration >>

PDI 2016 Spring Event
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
DMACC Southridge Conference Center
Des Moines, Iowa

2016 Iowa SMART Economic Development Conference
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center
Renaissance Savery Hotel Des Moines Sleeping Rooms
Des Moines, IA

University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute
May 1-5, 2016
San Antonio, TX

PDI 2016 Fall Conference
September 28-30, 2016
Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites
Fort Dodge, Iowa

PDI 2016 Spring Conference
September 27-29, 2017
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Cedar Rapids Convention Complex
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute
November 13-17, 2016
Fort Lauderdale, FL

For more information, contact Lynn Harkin, PDI Headquarters at (515) 243-4585 or Email director@pdiowa.com.

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SPONSORS

PDI Thanks the 2016 Sponsors

Triple Event Sponsors
Diligent Development
(Peoples Company)
ITC Midwest
Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corp.

Conference Supporting Sponsor
Iowa Workforce Development

Conference Supporting Sponsors - Fall only
Black Hills Energy

Conference Exhibit Sponsors - Fall only
Greater Burlington Partnership

BRE Award
Smart Solutions Group

Contributing Sponsors - Spring & Fall
Central Iowa Power Cooperative
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Midland Power Cooperative
Fall only
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative

Local Host Sponsors
Calhoun County REC
Corn Belt Power
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Prairie Energy Cooperative

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